Alexander McCall Smith, known as Sandy to his friends, writes around 3000 words a day, many days before 7am. Host Rupert Hawksley met up with the author and found out Sandy’s earliest reading memories, his gravest social embarrassment and the book that made him cry.  Be part of the conversation by sending us the books that affected you the most on booksofmylife@thenational.ae (mailto:booksofmylife@thenational.ae)   https://www.thenational.ae/podcasts

Books of My Life

1: Alexander McCall Smith

Irvine Welsh’s book Trainspotting is largely considered one of the best pieces of literature of the 20th century but according to Welsh it only came about due to a string of failures in his musical career. Host Rupert Hawksley speaks to the Scottish author about his vast reading history and which books gave him hope when he was struggling in the depths of addiction. Be part of the conversation by sending us the books that affected you the most on booksofmylife@thenational.ae (mailto:booksofmylife@thenational.ae) https://www.thenational.ae/podcasts

6: Irvine Welsh

Sir Bryn Terfel started singing at a very young age growing up on a farm in Wales. Host Rupert Hawksley found the renowned bass-baritone singer very entertaining but also found keeping him on the topic of books a little challenging. He did manage to pin down a few of his favourite reads including his early fascination with The Mabinogion, the Welsh stories dating back to the 12th century.  Be part of the conversation by sending us the books that affected you the most on booksofmylife@thenational.ae (mailto:booksofmylife@thenational.ae) https://www.thenational.ae/podcasts

5: Bryn Terfel

Mary Beard is Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge and a prominent household name in the UK having written numerous books and made many documentaries about Ancient Rome. Host Rupert Hawksley spoke to the British National Treasure about her early obsession with a frightening tale, the changing meaning of Jane Eyre and her allegiance to Germaine Greer.  Be part of the conversation by sending us the books that affected you the most on booksofmylife@thenational.ae (mailto:booksofmylife@thenational.ae) https://www.thenational.ae/podcasts

4: Mary Beard

Ian Rankin didn’t think he was writing a crime novel when he sat down and started writing the first Rebus novel. Host Rupert Hawksley speaks to the acclaimed writer about what he thinks of having sold more than 30 million novels and which very famous crime writer Rankin has surprisingly never read. Be part of the conversation by sending us the books that affected you the most on booksofmylife@thenational.ae (mailto:booksofmylife@thenational.ae) https://www.thenational.ae/podcasts

3: Ian Rankin

When Arianna Huffington left Greece for Cambridge she could barely speak English but still made it to become the head of the debate society during her time there. She co-founded the Huffington Post in 2005 and served as editor in Chief till 2016. Host Rupert Hawksley spoke to the woman who has authored 15 books but told the first publisher who approached her, “I can’t write”. Be part of the conversation by sending us the books that affected you the most on booksofmylife@thenational.ae (mailto:booksofmylife@thenational.ae)   https://www.thenational.ae/podcasts

2: Arianna Huffington

Subscribe to a new show from The National (https://www.thenational.ae/)  where we interview celebrities on the books that changed their lives.

Books of my Life trailer

You can learn a great deal about somebody from the books they read. Take a listen to authors and celebrities as they invite you inside the library of their life. Which books make them cry? What is currently on their bedside table? Which novel do they wish they had read as a child? Which books could they not do without? Come and join the conversation by sending us the books you love or hate by emailing us on booksofmylife@thenational.ae www.thenational.ae